With growing habits similar to the various types of Sagittaria, Jungle Val (Vallisneria gigantea) is the bigger, more robust version of these grass-like plants. Strap-like leaves can grow up to three feet long from a central node, and send out other little daughter plantlets readily.
Best for larger tanks, and planted towards the back!
Jungle val needs to be trimmed to ship decently; Yours will be 6-10" long
Grown SUBMERGED
Growing requirements:
- 65-80 Degrees Fahrenheit
- Ph 6-8
- Low to Medium light intensity.
- quick growth speed
As I like to keep real ecosystems in my aquariums, there's always the possibility of harmless snail or dwarf shrimp hitchhikers!
Cassandra's notes:
Jungle Val is pretty famous for two things: being HUGE and melting back almost completely in a new environment. It's just one of those weird plant behaviors that is otherwise totally normal. Expect it!
A couple things you can do to help it along; Keep your light a little brighter than usual, remove dead mushy leaves promptly, and bury the roots with some good fertilizer. Once it regrows even thicker, you won't be able to stop this monster :P
As I like to keep real ecosystems in my aquariums, there's always the possibility of harmless snail or dwarf shrimp hitchhikers!